Constituency profile: New players emerge in bastion of Sheerazis

Analysts say PML-N’s Marvi Memon may divide the anti-PPP vote bank.


Z Ali May 04, 2013
Marvi Memon. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/ EXPRESS

HYDERABAD:


With the onset of this electoral cycle, Thatta appears ripe for change. Traditionally, people voted for the PPP or the influential Sheerazi family candidates, but two happenings have stirred the electorate this time: the participation of President Asif Zardari’s foster brother Awais Muzaffar Hashmi on a provincial seat, and the campaigning of PML-N candidates with a gusto never seen before. 


And yet, despite all this, political ideology and party manifestos still play second fiddle to the biradri connections and personality cults in this coastal district.

Direction of the polling winds

The two National Assembly constituencies in Thatta are divided by the Indus River. NA-237, on the right bank of the river, includes the tehsils of Thatta, Mirpur Sakro, Ghora Bari, Keti Bunder and Kharo Chaanh. NA-238, on the left bank of the river, comprises Jati, Mirpir Bathoro, Shahbunder and Sujawwal tehsils.

For over two decades, the district, known as the ‘capital of kings’, was ruled by either Pakistan Peoples Party local leaders or the Sheerazi-Malkani alliance. The latter began to establish their sway after the 1985 non-party elections, and their on-and-off association with the PPP from 1988 to 1997 elections. They strengthened their control to an almost absolute level when they bagged both the National Assembly and four out of the five Sindh Assembly seats in 2002, under the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid banner.

The two sides, again, fought head-on in the 2008 elections, in which the PPP regained one NA and three provincial seats.

A few months ago, the PPP and the Sheerazis attempted to mend differences. The PPP announced that the Sheerazis would be given tickets to one NA seat and three provincial assembly seats. However, the arrangement did not last, and last month, the Sheerazis parted ways with the PPP.



Current scenario

The Sheerazis have fielded Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Sheerazi against PPP’s Sadiq Ali Memon for NA-237. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Marvi Memon is also in the race. In NA-238, PPP’s Arbab Rameezuddin Memon will face Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi in a one-on-one battle.

While the Sheerazi-Malkani influence has see-sawed in NA-237, NA-238 has been in their grip for the last six general elections.

“The good thing about the Sheerazis is that they stand in good stead with the people in times of need. But, their negative point is their autocratic control,” said a Mirpur Bathoro-based political observer. “One can’t even lodge an FIR at a police station until the SHO gets a nod from them,” said the observer, who didn’t want to be identified in the report.


Previous Election Results

2002

NA-237 (Thatta I)

Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi
Dr Abdul Wahid Soomro

NA-238 (Thatta II)

Muhammad Ali Malkani

Arbab Wazir Ahmed Memon

 

2008

NA-237 (Thatta I)

Dr Abdul Wahid Soomro
Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Sheerazi

NA-238 (Thatta II)

Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Sheerazi

Arbab Wazir Ahmad Memon

 

It is this very weakness that PPP’s Awais Muzaffar Hashmi is attempting to capitalise upon. Although he is contesting PS-88, he is leading the party’s election campaign in NA-237. “We want to emancipate the people of Thatta from the tyranny of the Sheerazis,” he said.

The situation in NA-237 has also been complicated further by Marvi Memon’s entry. She has not only rejected seats-adjustment with the Sheerazis, but is also contesting PS-88.  “The 10-party alliance is supporting me on both seats. I have great support in the constituency. Why should I withdraw?” she said.

According to Marvi, no efforts are under way for an election alliance with the Sheerazis.

Analysts believe the split of the anti-PPP vote between the Sheerazis and Marvi will ultimately help PPP’s Sadiq. Furthermore, Awais Muzaffar’s heavy campaigning in five tehsils has already seemingly won over dozens of local communities which previously supported the Sheerazis.

On the other hand, the situation in NA-238 seems to be far less complicated. The fight is between two contenders, and most observers agree that the prospects for the Sheerazis are looking rather bright. In what is turning out to be a violent election cycle, both Awais Muzaffar and the Sheerazis have asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to deploy army troops on the election day.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2013.

COMMENTS (2)

Salman Saleem | 10 years ago | Reply

Marvi Memon is good addition in the politics Sindh. Let's see if she can upset the Sheerazis Thatta. PML-N needs young, enthusiast and vibrant leaders like her.

Jan Mohd | 10 years ago | Reply

Sassui Palijo is brave sister who took on the might of sheerazis and won the only seat in 2002 elections when rest is the district was sweeped by Sheerazis. She is pro people

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